The Fit Kick

By Bill Whedon

We all have body parts we would like to improve.  And, of course, we all know that we can't  "spot-reduce" (well, at least, most of us know that, no matter what  the "Tummy-Cizer" and "Butt-O-Matic" folks want us to believe!)  And it's true, as far as it goes.  But as far as it goes, pertains mostly to fat, not muscle.

So, while you can't remove that extra inch of fluffy matter from your thighs directly, you should know that you can instead add some not-so-fluffy muscle, which will serve multiple purposes.  First and foremost, of course, more muscle will make you stronger.  But there are other uses for muscle:

• Metabolic activity.  Muscle burns kCals - about 35 to 50 per day per pound.
• Size reduction.  A gram of muscle is smaller than a gram of fat.
• Shape improvement.  As the fat comes off, the underlying muscle will look great!
• Firmness.  Slap a muscular thigh, and see that it doesn't jiggle nearly as long as a fat one!

No-Work Exercise
... isn't exercise.  Those infomercials which promise it are simply not telling you the entire story.   The "air-walker" type machines, for instance, while possibly a valid exercise machine for the totally un-fit, or persons who have joint problems, simply don't provide enough of a workout for even the casual exerciser, much less, somebody who's been working out regularly.  Now, this is entirely anecdotal, and not by any means intended to be a scientific study, _but_... I've been on just about every brand of those things on the market, and there is no way I could hit my THR (Target Heart Rate) on one, without pushing my exercise/leg-swinging speed to dangerous levels.  The problem with these machines is just that - they supposedly "work you out" by supporting you while you swing your legs (and sometimes your arms) in a somewhat-unnatural arc.  No real serious resistance, and no use of the large muscles on these things.  Easy?  Of course they're easy!  For most of us, though, I'm sorry to say, they simply are a waste of time, money, and (very little) effort, in my opinion.  Another fancy gadget to hang stuff on out in the garage.  If you must have one, wait until spring and get it at a garage sale for ten bucks!

So What Can We Do?
At the risk of sounding like a continuously-repeating tape loop -- Find Something Fun To Do, And Do It!  After your hips?  Your options are many.  You can run, walk, jog, do aerobic dance, step aerobics, tennis, inline skating -- you get the idea.  Arms?  Push-ups, curls at the gym (in the "iron-head" area!), Nautilus, Cybek, resistance tubing, baseball (!), boxing, tossing a medicine ball around, chins, and lots of other exercises.  See your Certified Personal Trainer for more ideas specific to your (personal!) situation.

And How Do We Do It?
Three words.  "Regularly, and intensely!"

Summing Up The Pep Talk
If it isn't hard, it probably isn't exercise.  But just being hard doesn't mean it can't also be fun.  The key to a life of fitness and health is to be found in your own motivation.  You can own every gadget in the world, eat all the weird supplements there are, and still not be fit and healthy.  Or you can simply set yourself on a path which includes:

• Cardiopulmonary exercise in THR for 20 minutes minimum, 3 to 4 times per week.
• Strength training which involves weight bearing exercise at or near max load, twice per week.
• Plenty of clean water (at _least_ 8 glasses per day!!)
• Proper nutrition, incorporating whole foods and minimal supplementation.
• Stretching and other relaxation exercises.
• Freedom from tobacco, other addictive drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption.

A "Can-do!" attitude toward fitness -- possibly the _most_ important thing!

Best wishes,
Bill Whedon 

This article was previously published at the World Fitness Organization website: http://www.worldfitness.org/
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